Railway track grading apparatus



Sept. 6, 1966 c. J. DERLER ETAL 3,270,690

RAILWAY TRACK GRADNG APPARATUS Pild June 4, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet INVENTORS. Jr/e/ e a e f A from/E )f Ihr C/f arr/e s Sept. 6, 1966 c. J. DERLER ETAL. 3,270,590

RAILWAY TRACK GRADNG APPARATUS Filed June 4, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2,

Sept 6, 1966 c. J. DERLER ETAL 3,270,690

RAILWAY TRACK GRADING APPARATUS Filed June 4, 1962 5 sheets-sheet s Hiv-J /l/ J /e d/e Mb United States Patent O j 3,270,690 RAILWAY TRACK GRADING APPARATUS Charles J. Derler, Ludington, and Merlin '.l. Applegate, Grand Rapids, Mich., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Jackson Vibrators, Inc., Ludington, Mich., a corporation of Illinois Filed June 4, 1962, Ser. No. 199,720 Claims. (Cl. 104-7) This invention relates to railway track grading apparatus.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a railway track :grading apparatus utilizing a light beam as an index means which is easily operated and at the same time highly accurate and eiiicent.

Second, to provide a railway track grading apparatus comprising a powered first carriage including manually controlled means for gradingly `adjusting the rails of the tra-ck on which it is supported; a second carriage connected to the tir-stV carriage to be propelled thereby and disposed rearwardly relative to the rst carriage to be supported by and travel 0n track that has been graded by the first carriage, and a third carriage disposed on the track infront of and in substantially spa-ced relation to the first carriage and provided with an electronically and remotely controlled driving means.

e Third, to provide a grading apparatus including the first, second and third carriages associated as stated, the third carriage 'having a light beam projecting unit thereon, the second `carriage having a light beam receivin-g unit `thereon and the first carriage having a light beam baffle unit which serves to baille `the beam projected by the third carriage which permits the passage yof a ray of light to the second carriage when the track on which the first carriage is positioned has been adjusted to or is at the desired grade. v

Fourth, to provide a track grading apparatus having these ladvantages which lmay be operated or controlled by a single operator stationed upon the first carriage.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The in- .vention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention i-s illustrated `in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary somewhat conventionalized side elevational View of an apparatus embodying our invention disposed on a railway track which is yalso conventionally illustrated, the dash and dotted line representing a light beam. f

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary View on a line corresponding 4to line 2 2 of FIG. 1 of the combined jack and tamper unit, various parts being shown conventionally.

FIG. 3 is `a fragmentary front elevational view of the sensor carriage taken on a line corresponding to line 3-3 of FIG. l, the track being shown with one of the rails substantial-ly higher than the other as on a curve, this being illustrated to show certain of the adjustable features of this sensor carriage or unit, one of the light beam receiving units being shown in full lines in one adjusted position, and by dotted lines in other positions.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view on a line corresponding to line 4--4 of FIG. 3, showing the sliding support for lateral and angular adjust-ment of the light sensing unit.

FIG. 5 is a vertical transverse section on a line corresponding to line 5-5 of FIG. l, illustrating structural features of the remotely controlled light beam carriage.

FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram of the indicator on lthe jack tamper unit and the sensor -on the sensor carriage.

The embodiment of the applicants invention illustrated comprises three carriages or units adapted to travel on a railwaytrack, which are herein designated as rst, second and rthird carriages, the first carriage being indicated in FIG. l of the drawing by the letter A, the second carriage by the letter B, and the third carriage by the letter C. The first carriage A is a combined rail jack and tamper structure, details of certain of the parts not bein-g illustrated and described except to point out their functional relationship, as tamper-s of this type in commercial use are manufactured and sold by Jackson Vibrators, Inc., lassignee of this application. Various railway jack and tamper machines may be used with additions thereto adapting the same for use in connecti-on with the second Iand third carriages B and C.

It is also desired to state that certain structural details or features which are included in the commercial embodiments of the second or light sensor carriage and of the third or light projector carriage are not illustrated or described, as such structural features are not the joint invention of the applicants.

In the accompanying drawing, 1 represents ties, 2 the rails, and 3 the balla-st of a railway track. In FIG. l the portion of the track on which the carriage A is disposed is in the same pl-ane or in alignment with the p0rtion on which the carriage B is disposed, but it should be understood that in this view the portion of the track on which carriage A is mounted has been adjusted into alignment with the portion of the track on which the carriage B is positioned, and the carriage C is illustrated as being on a portion of the track which has not been graded. Otherwise stated, the first carriage has been adjusted to position to permit the li-ght beam, designated by the dot and dash lines 4, to pass through the slot-like opening 5 in one of the baflles 6 to impinge the light sensor unit, hereinafter to be described, on the second carriage.

The second carriage B is connected to the first carriage A by means of the tubular draft rod 7 to be propelled by the first carriage in rearwardly spaced relation thereto and spaced to such degree that the second carriage is positioned -on graded track while the first carriage is spaced forwardly therefrom on initially ungraded track, that is, assuming that the track requires regrading, and regrading of railway track is the primary object of the applicants invention.

The carriage C is, as stated, controlled by a radio beam and may be, and in practice is, variably positioned on the track relative to the first carriage. This enables the positioning of the third or C carriage on the track as may be deemed most desirable in view of the conditions of the track `that is being regraded. Usually a high point in the irregular ungraded track well ahead of the rst carriage A is selected as a reference point and location for the light carriage C. Repositioning of the third carriage or light beam carriage is not required for each adjustment of the grading tamper carriage A.

The grading tamper carriage A comprises a body or frame 8 provided with front and rear pairs of wheels 9 and 10, one pair of these wheels being driven from a suitable power source disposed within the housing 11. Brake means 12 are provided for the wheels as it is desirable that the carriage be accurately positioned relative to the ties that are to be tamped. The brake means may be actuated by the lever 13 or by power operated means (not shown) under the control of the operator. The tamper unit, designated generally by the numeral 14, is that of the Jackson Patent No. 2,795,198, issued June 11, 1957, and therefore is not described in detail. It is desirably of the high frequency vibration type.

The two tamper units 14 are mounted for independent vertical adjustment, the supporting members 15 being mounted on upright slideways 16. The jacks of the embodiment illustrated are of the hydraulic type and comprise the cylinders 17 the ballast engaging members or shoes 18 being provided with plungers disposed within the cylinders 17. These cylinders are connected to a source of iluid under pressure by the conduits 19 and 20. These jack units are independently controlled, manual valve control means thereof being indicated at 21. The tamper control is indicated at 22, see FIG. 2.

Also operated in timed relation to the jack control means are the rail clamping jaw units desig-nated generally by the numeral 23, see FIG. 2, and these are controlled from the jack cylinders 17 in a manner disclosed in the application of Derler, Serial No. 1,466, led J anuary ll, 1960. Hydraulic cylinders 24 which have connections 25 to the source of hydraulic power are connected to the tamper support member 15 to selectively raise and lower the tampers. The jacks 17-18 are illustrated in retracted position by full lines in FIG. 2 and in actuated position by dotted lines.

Means are provided for supporting the tamper units in fully retracted position, the crosspiece 26 on the frame uprights 27 being provided with hooks 28 which may be engaged with the lugs or keepers 29 connected to the tamper support member 15. As stated, the carriage driving means is not illustrated.

In the embodiment illustrated, the carriage A is provided with a drive transmission and electrical and hydraulic mechanism within the housing 30, and the controls referred to are positioned within and on the control stand 130 to be operated by an operator standing between the housing 30 and the stand. lack means for facilitating the setting off of the tamper unit from the tracks is indicated by the numeral 31, see FIG. 2, but as that has no functional relation to the operative parts it is not further described.

The sensor carriage B comprises a base frame 32 provided with pairs of wheels 33 mounted on axles 34. The frame comprises pairs of laterally spaced tubular uprights 35. Projecting upwardly from these frame uprights are posts 36 having threaded portions 37 telescoping within the uprights provided with manually manipulated adjusting nuts 38, the pairs of nuts being connected by the belts 39. The sensor unit or units 40 are slidingly mounted for adjustment laterally of the track on the supporting beams 41 which are supportedly connected by the pivots 42 to the members 36. A strut or brace member 43 is provided for the member 41 in the embodiment illustrated. The sensor members 40 are slidably mounted on the member 41, being shown in one position by full lines and in adjusted positions by dotted lines.

A spirit level 44 is conventionally illustrated in FIG. 3 to depend centrally from the beams 41. I-n the embodiment illustrated the sensor units 40 are pivotally mounted at 45 on the brackets 46 and secured in adjusted positions by the set screws 47. This permits angular tilting adjustment in a vertical plane. The brackets 46 are U- shaped and have depending necks 146 (see FIG. 4) swivally adjustable in slides 147 slidably mounted on the support beams 41. This permits angular adjustment of the sensor units in a horizontal plane as well as lateral adjustment transversely of the track.

The electric conductor cable, designated generally by `the numeral 48, is disposed through the conduits and the draft bar 7 connecting the sensor carriage to the tamper carriage and is connected to the meter 51, conventionally illustrated in FIG. 2. The meter 50 is in convenient view of the operator facing the control stand 130.

The light projector carriage C is provided with a base frame 52 provided with wheels 53 gauged to travel on the railway track. A platform or bed 54 is mounted on the axles 55. v

The upwardly converging upright standards 56 are provided with a collar or sleeve 57 at their upper ends with which the upright post 58 is slidably engaged, the post having a threaded portion 59 at its lower end supported in the base member 60, a hand wheel 61 being rotatably mounted on this base member 60 and having a nut engaging the threaded portion of the post.

At its upper end the post 58 is provided with a crossbar 62 supported by the braces 63 mounted on the bracket 64 on the post 58 and connected to the bar 62 by means of the depending brackets 164. The beam projector unit or units 65 are mounted for lateral sliding adjustment on the bar 62 and are provided with a plurality of beam projectors conventionally illustrated at 66. This provides means for adjusting the beam projecting elements both vertically and laterally. An antenna 67 is mounted on these units, onlyone being illustrated. The light projectors 66 may be such as to produce or project visible or invisible rays.

The height scale indicating member 68, conventionally shown in FIG. 5, has a flexible depending portion 69 terminating in the plumb bob 70 disposed above one of the rails. The adjustable height scale slides in a friction grip holder (not illustrated).

As stated, this third carriage C is remotely controlled and it is provided with a gas engine and generator 71 shown conventionally in FIG. 5, and with an electric driving motor 72, also shown conventionally. This carriage C is provided with a radio control designated generally by the numeral 74 and receiving control signals from the antenna 67. The driving means comprises the driven rollers or wheels 75 mounted on shafts76 having-driving connections to the motor 72. The shafts 76 on which the driving wheels 75 are mounted are adjustable to and from driving position. The details of such adjustment are not illustrated as they form no part of the present invention.

The radio control 74 enables the positioning of the third carriage, or carri-age C, by an operator on the rst carriage and the variable positioning thereof, as there are no physical connections for the third carriage to the first carriage. A radio control and transmitter of a commercially available type may be mounted on the tamper carriage A as conventionally illustrated at 174 within reach of the tamper operator, or it may be carried by a track foreman alongside of the track to actuate the receiving control 74 and carriage C. i

In the embodiment of our invention illustrated, the light projector units are mounted for horizontal adjustment as is illustrated in FIG. 4. l

As stated, the light baille Iboards 6 are mounted on the tamper carriage or unit and provided with slot-like openings 5 through which the beam of light, designated 4, passes when the light projecting means and the baflle boards are positioned to properly direct the light beams to the sensor unit. These baffles 6 are mounted for vertical adjustment, being mounted on lthe crossbar 77 provided With tubular slides 78 mounted on the upright rods 79, these rods being supported for vertical adjustment in bearings 80 on the carriage and 81 on the crossbar 28 at the top of the frame.

The slides 78 are provided With hand manipulated nuts 84 having engagement with the threaded portions 85 of the rods 79. These members 79 are provided with track rail engaging wheels 86 at their lower ends. The wheels 86 necessarily follow the level of the rails so the baille boards 6 and slots 5 adjustably carried by the crossbar 77 and sleeves 78 on the rods 79 will be at predetermined elevations above the rails. The meter 51 is conveniently mounted on the crossbar 77 where it will be in full view of the operator. With this arrangement of parts, the rails of a railway track may be accurately positioned as may be required with very little physical effort on the part of an operator positioned on the combined jack and tamper carriage.

As stated, the tamper carriage A may be, and is, structurally varied, for example, tamperl carriages such as are now on the market may be used provided they include rail engaging jaws and packs and are provided with light baffle boards and the meter of the invention.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates the electrical circuit of the light sensor unit 40 and the indicating meter 51. The

sensor unit of the embodi-ment illustrated includes a battery 90 -as a power source connected to the midpoint 91 of an upper circuit 92 and lower circuit 93, each of which includes a plurality of similar light sensitive cells 94 connected in parallel to resistors 95, 96, 97 and 9S. The midpoint between the resistors 97 and 98 is connected to the opposite side of the battery as at 99 forming a balanced circuit which would normally pass equal current through both the upper and lower circuits 92 and 93, see FIG. 6.

The sensor unit is highly desirable for use in this apparatus for the reason that it is insensitive or is not affected by ambient or stray light rays, as such rays of light strike all the light cells simultaneously, thereby leaving the balance between the groups of cells unaffected or unchanged. It will he appreciated that this is a highly important use feature, as stray or ambient light rays may have various sources.

The previously described connecting cable 48 is connected to each side of the balanced circuit between the resistors 95-97 and between the resistors 96-98 to compare but not necessarily or actually measure the current flowing in the two circuits. Thus when the circuits are balanced the pointer 100 of the meter will indicate a midpoint or balanced condition, but any unbalance in the electrical circuits will cause the indicator to swing to either the high or low indicia readings illustrated.

The light sensitive cells 94 are of the type which change resistance in response to the intensity of light directed against them. Plural cells 94 are used on each of the upper and lower circuits 92 and 93 in order to integrate minor variations in the resistance of different cells and to integrate or neutralize the effect of stray light which may strike the sensor unit.

In operation of the apparatus described, the light source carriage C is advanced along the track 200 or 300 feet ahead of the jack and tamper carriage A by means of the radio controls 74 and 174 and is preferably located by visual observation of the operator on a high point of the irregular track. The sensor carriage B is, of course, maintained at Ia constant distance behind the tamper carriage A by the draft bar 7. The absolute elevation of the light source 66 on the carriage C is selected and adjusted by means of tbe hand wheel and nut 61 for the particular operation to be performed, and the light source is energized continually from the engine generator unit 71 to direct an intense light beam 4 rearwardly toward the sensor unit 40. The elevation of the sensor unit 40 is adjusted by means of the hand wheels 38 and when operating on straight level track is normally adjusted to the same .absolute level as the level of the light source 66. However, when operating on long grades or when it is desired to purposely establish a uniform gradient in the track, the relative elevations of the light source and the light sensor may be purposely differentiated to predetermined degrees.

With the position but not necessarily the absolute level of the light beam 4 established by the source 66 and sensor 40 the elevation lof the crossbar 77 and the light baflie boards '6 on the tamper carriage A is adjusted so that the top of the rails 2 will be at the desired elevation and selected distance below the light beam when the slit 5 in the `baffle board is at a level to pass the light beam. Assuming the rail to be below the desired level at the jack and tamper carriage A, the operator actuates the jack and tamper controls to grip the rails with the jaws 23 and depress the jacks 18, thus lifting both the carriage A and the rails. As the rail is elevated the rods 79 and rollers 86 correspondingly elevate the crossbar 77 and raise the baille board 6 across the light beam 4 resulting in a differential in light intensity applied to the several light sensitive cells 94. As the slot 5 moves into coincidence with the level of the light beam 4, the same intensity of light will be directed onto both the upper and lower series of cells resulting in balancing of the circuits 92 and 93 and centering of the indicator needle 100.

This indicates to the operator the correct elevation of the rail and the operation of the jacks 18 is stopped while the Iballast underneath the tie at the point raised is tamped in place. The jack and tamper carriage A is then advanced without moving the light source carriage C and the procedure repeated to progressively raise the track to the desired level. It will be understood that the leveling operation is performed only at intervals of eight to twelve ties and that intervening portions of the rails are later supported and stabilized at the new level by other tamping mechanism which follows the jack tamper. During progressive leveling of the track the light sensing unit on carriage B is supported on the newly leveled track to maintain a constant reference point with respect to the light source 66. When the jack and tamper carriage A has advanced into close proximity to the light source carriage C the carriage C is advanced to a new refe-rence point further along the ungraded track.

When it is desired to align or even the grade of the rails along a plane other than a true horizontal plane, the elevation of the light source can be adjusted with the result that the jack and tamping carriage moves the rails to the predetermined distance below the light beam which is then inclined upwardly or downwardly from the sensor unit 40, depending upon the adjustment made.

We have illustrated and described our invention in a highly practical embodiment thereof. We have not attempted to illustrate or describe various modifications and adaptations to different tamper units, as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those .skilled in the art to embody or adapt our invention `as may be desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a control system for a railroad ballast tamper having jacks and rail hooks for shifting the position of the track, the combination comprising, a first carriage Ihaving a light source visible at said tamper, a light sensor coupled to said tamper and mounted to be held at a predetermined dimension from said track, a baflle supported `on said tamper between said light source and said light sensor, said baille having a slot disposed transversely to said dimension and being mounted relative to said track so that said slot moves parallel to said dimension as the jacks shift the track, said sensor including a plurality of light responsive cells disposed parallel to said dimension and facing said light source, and a circuit coupling said cells so that a circuit output is obtained whose direction and magnitude is determined `by where the light passing through said slot from said source strikes said sensor.

2. An apparatus for alining railroad track comprising, in combination, a drivable tamper adapted to ride along said track and having manually controlled jacks and rail hooks for shifting the track on which the tamper rides, a first buggy adapted to ride on said track ahead of said tamper, a second buggy adapted to ride on said track behind said tamper, means for moving said buggies along the track, a light source mounted on one of said buggies to direct light toward said tamper, a light sensor mounted on the other of said buggies and aimed to receive light from said source, a baffle mounted on said tamper and having a slot movable with said shifting track, said slot creating a beam of light from said source which moves across said sensor as said tamper shifts the track and said baille, and means responsive to the position of said beam on said sensor for indicating that position to an operator on said tamper.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which said source is on said first buggy and said sensor is on said second buggy.

4. The combination of claim 2 in which said means for moving said buggies includes a draft rod between said tamper and said second carriage and a radio controlled motor on said first carriage.

5. The combination of claim 2 in which said sensor includes a plurality of light responsive cells, and said last named means includes a circuit coupling said cells so that a circuit output is obtained Whose direction and magnitude is determined by where said light beam strikes the sensor and is thus capable `of indicating the beam position on the sensor to an operator on the tamper.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 8 Clayborne. Plasser et al. 104-7 Talloys 104-2. Stewart 104-7 Plasser et al 104-7 Stewart 104-12 ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner.

1o LEO QUACKENBUSH, Examiner.

M I. HILL, R. A. BERTSCH, Assistant Examiners. 

1. IN A CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A RAILROAD BALLAST TAMPER HAVING JACKS AND RAIL HOOKS FOR SHIFTING THE POSITION OF THE TRACK, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING, A FIRST CARRIAGE HAVING A LIGHT SOURCE VISIBLE AT SAID TAMPER, A LIGHT SENSOR COUPLED TO SAID TAMPER AND MOUNTED TO BE HELD AT A PREDETERMINED DIMENSION FROM SAID TRACK, A BAFFLE SUPPORTED ON SAID TAMPER BETWEEN SAID LIGHT SOURCE AND SAID LIGHT SENSOR, SAID BAFFLE HAVING A SLOT DISPOSED TRANSVERSELY TO SAID DIMENSION AND BEING MOUNTED RELATIVE TO SAID TRACK SO THAT SAID SLOT MOVES PARALLEL TO SAID DIMENSION AS THE JACKS SHIFT THE TRACK, SAID SENSOR INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF LIGHT RESPONSIVE CELLS DISPOSED PARALLEL TO SAID DIMENSION AND FACING SAID LIGHT SOURCE, AND A CIRCUIT COUPLING SAID CELLS SO THAT A CIRCUIT OUTPUT IS OBTAINED WHOSE DIRECTION AND MAGNITUDE IS DETERMINED BY WHERE THE LIGHT PASSING THROUGH SAID SLOT FROM SAID SOURCE STRIKES SAID SENSOR. 